Summary

46+ years of trial and litigation experience in state and federal courts, serving as lead trial counsel in 65+ jury trials to verdict. Successfully represented defendants and plaintiffs in complex matters involving commercial and business litigation, employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, products liability, premises liability, wrongful death, toxic torts and general personal injury.

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Professional Experience:

· Reese Mediations, virtual mediations for Georgia and Texas, September 2025 – Present. Registered Mediator by Georgia Office of Dispute Mediation.

· Gallerson Lawrence & Seymore (Employees of Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.), Dallas, Texas, April 2016 – February 2025. Trial counsel represented commercial policy insureds in general negligence, products liability and premises liability matters.

· The Willis Law Group, Dallas, Texas, Aug 2012 – February 2016. Managed and directed operation of law firm with offices in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, in addition to serving as lead counsel in matters involving general personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability and products liability.

· Helms & Greene, Dallas, Texas, August 2009 – August 2012. Trial and litigation counsel representing matters of employment law, professional liability, complex business and commercial disputes and personal injury matters.

· Counsel, Hunton & Williams (now Hunton Andrews Kurth), Dallas, Texas February 2003– July 2009 General civil trial practice with the firm’s Litigation section handling toxic tort matters.

· Financial Advisor, American Express Financial Advisors (now known as Ameriprise), Los Angeles, California. March 2002 – November 2002. Financial Advisor and Planner providing financial advice and analysis, including marketing, recommending, and selling mutual funds, annuities, variable universal life insurance, long-term care insurance and disability insurance.

· Senior Counsel, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Dallas, Texas. March 1997 – February 2002. Civil trial practice representing management in employment law matters, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and state law tort claims.

· Senior Shareholder, Cowles & Thompson, P.C., Dallas, Texas. May 1995 - March 1997. General civil trial defense practice including employment litigation, business/commercial litigation, wrongful death, personal injury and products liability defense.

· Shareholder, Chapman & Reese, A Professional Corporation, Dallas, Texas. February 1980 - May 1995. Managing Partner and General civil trial practices, including plaintiff’s wrongful death, personal injury and products liability, commercial disputes, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties and banking regulatory matters.

· Associate, Law Offices of Windle Turley, P.C., Dallas, Texas. June 1977 - January 1980. Plaintiff’s personal injury trial practice including general negligence, products liability, primarily involving automotive design defect litigation.

· Electrical Engineer, Dallas Power & Light Company, Dallas, Texas. June 1971 - August 1974. Engineering projects related to maintaining the integrity of the electrical distribution system, with primary emphasis on minimizing service interruptions to customers.

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Education

· Kennesaw State University School of Conflict Management, Peace Building and Development, Kennesaw GA, 108 hours of Mediation Training, March – June 2025.

· SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, Texas, J.D., August 1977.

· Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, B.S.E.E., cum laude, May 1971.

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ADMITTED TO PRACTICE:

State Bar Texas, June 1977.

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Other Licenses:

NASD, Series 7 and 66, April 2002 - 2004.

State of California, Life and Variable Contracts, Lic. No. 0D97111, April 2002 - 2004.

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Professional Activities:

State Bar of Texas, 1977-Present; Litigation Section.

Martindale-Hubble – AV Preeminent rating since 1985.

American Bar Association, 1988-2002; Litigation Section.

Dallas Bar Association, 1980-2025; Minority Participation Committee, 1980-82, 1988-90, 1996, Bar None Show Production Committee, 1988-89, Civic Affairs Committee, 1988-89; Judiciary Committee, 1990.

American Inns of Court - Patrick L. Higginbotham Chapter, Master, 1994-2002, 2004-2018; Barrister, 1990-1993; Associate, 1985.

J. L Turner Legal Association, 1980 -2002, 2004 - 2025.

National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Faculty, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2008.

SMU Dedman School of Law, Adjunct Instructor, Trial Advocacy, Fall 1996, Fall 1997.

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Civic Services and Activities: 

Salesmanship Club of Dallas, 1996-Present; Board of Directors, Secretary, 2006-2007; Momentous Institute (formerly Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, Inc.) ad hoc Board member, 2000-2001; Reading Buddy, 1999-2001, 2005-2025; Program Development & Evaluation Committee, 2000-2001, 2015-2018; Mentoring Task Force Committee, 2006; Membership Committee,1999, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2019; Long Range Planning Committee, 1999-2000; Dallas Police Awards Committee Chair, 1999-2000; Byron Nelson Championship Committees (Walking Marshal 1997-1999, Driving Range Committee 2000-2001,2004 -2013; Walking Scorers Committee Chair, 2005-2007, Pavilion Ticket Sales Committee, 2007-2013; Cart Barn Committee, 2014; Gold Stands, 2015 - 2018, Chair 2018, Volunteer Tent Committee 2018 - 2025); Membership Development Committee, 2018 - 2020, Chair, 2019.

The Senior Source, Board of Directors, 2008.

Sixth Floor Museum, Board of Directors, 1998-2002.

Dallas Zoological Society, 1990-199; Executive Committee, 1994-95; Transactions Committee, Chair, 1994-95, Member, 1990-91; Aquarium Committee, 1991- 95.

The Dallas Opera Board, 1990-94; Executive Board, 1993-94; Public Affairs Committee, 1990; Cultural Diversity Committee, Chairman, 1991-94.

Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet Advisory Board, 1996-1999.

Center for Success in Learning, Board Secretary, 1991-1992.

The International Theatrical Arts Society (TITAS); Treasurer, 1993-1997; Board Member, 1990-1997.

Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce; Leadership Dallas, Class of 1988-89; Local Government Affairs Committee, 1989-90.

Oak Cliff Lions Club, 1988-89.

Citizen’s Development Center, Board Member, 1987-89.

Association for Retarded Citizens of Dallas, Board of Directors, 1985-86.

Dallas West Child Care Agency; Board of Directors, 1983-93; Treasurer, 1986-93.

Adult Child Training Center; Board of Directors, 1980-87; President, 1983-84; Treasurer, 1982-83; Vice-President, 1981-82; Executive Committee, 1981-87.